Beatrice Luigi Gallarde Gomez (Cebuano: [beaˈtɾis luwiˈdʒiʔ ˈgɔmɛs]; born February 23, 1995) is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021. She is the first openly bisexual woman to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines, she represented the country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel, and finished as a top five finalist.

Beatrice Gomez
Gomez in 2021
Born
Beatrice Luigi Gallarde Gomez

(1995-02-23) February 23, 1995 (age 29)
San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines
EducationUniversity of San Jose–Recoletos (Mass communication)
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title
Major
competition(s)
Military career
Allegiance Philippines
Service / branch Philippine Navy
RankSergeant

Early life and education

Beatrice Luigi Gallarde Gomez[2][3] was born on February 23, 1995, in San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines.[4] She was raised by a single mother.[5] She studied at the University of San Jose–Recoletos and pursued a degree in mass communication.[6] At the same time, she also played varsity volleyball for the university.[7] As a student-athlete, she was able to study under an athletic scholarship.[5] In 2022, she graduated from the said university.[6]

Pageantry

Miss Mandaue 2015

Gomez's first pageant was in 2015 when she placed second runner-up at the Miss Mandaue 2015 pageant.[8][9]

Binibining Cebu 2020

Gomez represented San Fernando at the Binibining Cebu 2020 pageant and won the title, succeeding Steffi Rose Aberasturi of Mandaue City.[10][11] She also won the Best in Swimwear, Miss Foton, and Miss Body Worx Medical Spa awards.[7]

Miss Universe Philippines 2021

On September 1, 2021, representing Cebu City, Gomez was confirmed as one of the thirty delegates in the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant.[12][13]

During the finals on September 30, 2021, Gomez won the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Miss Cream Silk, and Miss Luxxe ImmunPlus Game Changer awards. At the end of the event, Gomez was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo as Miss Universe Philippines 2021.[14][15][16][17][18]

With her win, Gomez became the first openly bisexual Miss Universe Philippines winner and the first to represent the country in Miss Universe.[19][20][21]

Miss Universe 2021

Gomez competed at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Eilat, Israel, on December 13, 2021, becoming the last Philippine delegate to qualify to the Miss Universe semifinals during the country's longest streak of appearances in its history in the said round at 12 consecutive years (dating back from 2010).[22] Gomez finished as a top five finalist, becoming the first openly LGBT delegate from any participatory country at Miss Universe to advance to the competition's finals, as well as the Philippines' highest placement since Miss Universe 2018.[23] Harnaaz Sandhu of India won the said pageant.[24][21][25]

Military career

In January 2021, she completed the citizens military course training of the Philippine Army Reserve Command in Eastern Visayas which allowed her to be part of the Philippine Navy Reserve Unit, with the rank of corporal.[26][19][8] In October 2021, Gomez was promoted to sergeant.[27]

In May 2022, she was named as one of the honorary members, among the first batch, of the newly launched Friends of Marines, a civilian organization by the Philippine Marine Corps.[28][29]

Civic involvement and advocacy

Gomez is one of the founders of BEyouthfulPH, an organization that extends assistance in uplifting the lives of disempowered and disadvantaged children in different parts of the Philippines. One of the organization's programs focuses on children in conflict with the law, guiding and inspiring them to become more proactive and law-abiding Filipino citizens.[30][31]

In an interview, Gomez, who identifies as bisexual,[21][32] also says she "hopes that younger LGBTQIA+ people would be free from bullying and violence:

Just like what everyone hopes for in the LGBTQIA+, I aspire for acceptance and inclusivity — especially equal rights and protection for the younger generation who oftentimes suffer from bullying and different forms of violence. They are left to fend for themselves, particularly those that are oppressed by their own parents.[21]

Gomez also holds the presidency of the Rotary International Rotaract Club of Metro Mandaue.[33][34]

Personal life

Gomez is an openly bisexual woman.[20][32][35] She was previously in a relationship with disc jockey and entrepreneur Kate Jagdon.[36][37][21][38]

Gomez also does boxing, scuba diving, and mixed martial arts.[39][21]

Gomez is first cousin to the late Rizzini Alexis Gomez, Miss Tourism International 2012–2013 and niece of former Philippine Basketball Association player Roel Gomez.[40]

References

  1. ^ Lachica, Immae (July 21, 2021). "Beatrice Luigi Gomez thanks 'fairy godmothers' as she vies for the MUP crown". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "LGBTQ+ Member, Navy Reservist Crowned Miss Universe Philippines". OneNews. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "Military toasts to reservist Bea Gomez for winning Miss Universe Philippines 2021 title". InterAksyon. October 2021. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Licup, Michelle (November 30, 2021). "Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez: Ready to conquer the universe". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Adel, Rosette (December 10, 2021). "In Miss Universe intro video, Beatrice Luigi Gomez shares how volleyball changed her life". InterAksyon. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Severo, Jan Milo (July 25, 2022). "Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez graduates from college". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Cristino, Gracey (January 16, 2020). "Josenian volleybelle wins Binibining Cebu 2020 crown". University of San Jose–Recoletos. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Enriquez, Em (September 30, 2021). "10 Things You Need to Know About Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez". Preview. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  9. ^ Lago, Amanda (September 30, 2021). "Who is Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Universe Philippines 2021?". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  10. ^ Lachica, Immae (January 14, 2020). "San Fernando beauty wins Binibining Cebu 2020". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Ylanan, Jasper (January 14, 2020). "San Fernando's Beatrice Luigi Gomez crowned Binibining Cebu 2020". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Basco, Karl Cedrick (September 1, 2021). "Here are the final 30 candidates of Miss Universe PH". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "FULL LIST: The Miss Universe Philippines Top 30". Rappler. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Philippines crowns first openly queer candidate to Miss Universe 2021". news.yahoo.com. October 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  15. ^ Requintina, Robert (September 30, 2021). "Second set of special awards at Miss Universe Philippines 2021". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  16. ^ Dumaual, Miguel (September 30, 2021). "Beatrice Gomez crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Malig, Kaela (September 30, 2021). "Beatrice Gomez is Miss Universe Philippines 2021!". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  18. ^ "Beatrice Luigi Gomez takes on prelim interview for MUPh 2021". INQUIRER.net. September 25, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Iglesias, Iza (September 30, 2021). "Beatrice Luigi Gomez makes history as first lesbian Miss Universe PH". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Manipon, Roel Hoang (September 30, 2021). "Cebu's Gomez is MUP's only out LGBTQ+ candidate". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e f "Who is Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Universe Philippines 2021?". Rappler. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  22. ^ "PH's Beatrice Gomez ends Miss Universe 2021 run, hailed for Top 5 entry". cnn. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "Beatrice Gomez joins Miss Universe Top 5". ABS-CBN News. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "India's Harnaaz Sandhu is crowned Miss Universe 2021". CNN Style. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  25. ^ Sancha, Gilbert Kim (October 2, 2021). "Miss Universe bet: Inspire others to rise above problems". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Ms. Universe PH Beatrice Luigi Gomez: Hail to the fierce Corporal queen". Manila Bulletin. October 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Potestas, Clint Holton (October 5, 2021). "Exclusive: New Miss Universe PH Bea Gomez is now a naval reserve sergeant". ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  28. ^ "Beatrice Gomez gets military merit medal". ABS-CBN News. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  29. ^ "Beatrice Gomez receives military merit medal from PH Marine Corps". Inquirer.net. May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  30. ^ VNExplorer (September 29, 2021). "All the Advocacies Supported by the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Candidates - VNExplorer". VNExplorer.net. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  31. ^ ago, Em Enriquez-A. day. "10 Things You Need to Know About Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez". Preview.ph. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  32. ^ a b Malig, Kaela (September 30, 2021). "Before winning crown, out and proud queen Beatrice Gomez says PHL ready to send an LGBTQIA+ member to Miss Universe". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  33. ^ Pereña, Triz (October 3, 2021). "Celebs to Beatrice Luigi Gomez's first IG post as Miss U PH 2021: "Laban dai!"". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  34. ^ "Beatrice Gomez on being Miss Universe Philippines 2021: 'No words can describe the pride and honor that I've been blessed with'". GMA News Online. October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  35. ^ Semilla, Nestle (October 4, 2021). "Cebu City prepares physical, virtual homecoming for Miss Universe PH 2021 Beatrice Gomez". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  36. ^ Ramos, Neil (August 31, 2021). "MUPH candidate from Cebu is proud member of the LGBTQ community". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  37. ^ Licsi, Ayie (September 2, 2021). "'My happy pill': Meet Miss Universe PH Cebu City bet Beatrice Luigi Gomez's girlfriend of six years". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  38. ^ "Kate Jagdon confirms split with Miss Universe PH 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez". Rappler. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  39. ^ Sancha, Gilbert Kim. "Miss Universe bet: Inspire others to rise above problems". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  40. ^ Villaruel, Emmanuel B. (October 2, 2021). "Former USJ-R volleyball player ascends throne as beauty queen". Retrieved October 8, 2021 – via PressReader.


Awards and achievements
Preceded by
  Adline Castelino
(3rd Runner-Up)
  Kimberly Jiménez
(4th Runner-Up)
Miss Universe Top 5 Finalist
(with   Valeria Ayos)

2021
Succeeded by
  Gabriëla Dos Santos
  Ashley Cariño
(Top 5)
Preceded by Miss Universe Philippines
2021
Succeeded by